Learning Multiple Languages at the Same Time

CC subtitles available in: English, Russian, Spanish and Urdu.

I'd like to thank the volunteers who created this video's translations:

Muniza
Elizabeth Gomez

Can we learn several languages at the same time? Are we better off to focus on one? It all depends on your goals and personal preferences. You will progress faster if you focus on one language, however you will give up the chance to explore other languages during that same period.

0:00 The advantages of learning multiple languages at the same time.
3:00 My progress has suffered since I decided to study multiple languages.
5:44 Brushing up on my Korean.
7:56 Should you study one language or multiple languages at once?

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My Podcast:

#learningmultiplelanguages #languages #polyglot

[Thelinguist]

Have you tried learning more than line one language at the same time? What was your experience?


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Social Media

[chienbanane]

I started learning German a few months ago, and although I was feeling the progress the daily grind was definitely wearing me down. I then started Spanish and I must say, while my brain sometimes has difficulty switching from one to the other, my motivation is way up! When I get bored of one language, I just switch to the other.

[charlesm]

I miss Laoshu. He proved that there is great value in learning a language even at a basic level. You don't need to become "fluent" in order to communicate and connect with people who speak a different language.

[joanandbrandon]

Like you, I love learning languages so much that I cannot keep myself from learning several at a time. My goal is polyliteracy (not speaking), and my tools are pretty much just a ton of extensive reading (with an English translation at hand) and a bit of intensive reading. In reference to your video, I know (mostly Classical) Persian very well, can have fun reading (Medieval ) Arabic (as in the original 1001 Nights), and have made some minor forays into Turkish. And I am a long-time juggler! I now spend about 15-30 minutes per day each reading Spanish, French, Dutch, Italian, Polish, and Norwegian. I do Classical Persian twice a week with a friend (we've been at it for 17 years), and now we're going through Rumi's quatrains. Of those languages, only Polish is hard for me, since it's my first Slavic language. I think it's best to do only one "hard" language at a time, but I'd probably violate that rule in a heartbeat. However, it would be better to get Polish to a higher level before adding another hard (for me) language. My favored reading material is almost always fiction, usually novels, and usually novels written for adults. I rarely use graded readers or children's materials, though I've used a few young adult novels. Mostly it's classics, mysteries, best-selling literary fiction, swashbuckling adventures, and the like; the books have to be interesting so that I keep coming back to find out what happens. My theory is that the biggest obstacle to language learning is a failure to grasp how hard it is. I've learned patience with myself and the process, knowing that it will take a few years to get good at learning a language that is hard for me. But I also know that progress is always happening, improvement is guaranteed, and that the only requirement is that I remain excited every time I open a book and glimpse all of the words I don't know...and how many ever I do know!

[thenaturalyogi]

this is where I find myself today wanting to learn French or German but wanting to get really good at my Portuguese and Russian. Thank you for this video, I realized that in the end I just have to enjoy what I'm doing and the fact that time spent with a language is the only way I could continuously improve

[joelkelly]

I've run into a lot of problems doing German and Latin at the same time. I don't regret it, but I wouldn't do it again. I have found you can make progress in a lot of languages solely by studying a language with a lot of relatives. I can read the news in French now, *partly* due to my Latin study.

[valentina_fantasy]

AMAZING! I will try Turkish and German at the same time. Of course, with magnificent LingQ.

[TruthSeeker_]

This came at the perfect time Steve. Thanks.

[mahtabism]

جناب شما واقعا خیلی فوق العاده هستید و البته باعث افتخار .

[DrMjVeterinarian]

I’d like daughter to learn at least 4 languages😊 this video is helpful

[andrew]

Personally, I prefer to know extremely well two or at most three foreign languages. But let's tell the truth, if we actually master two foreign languages to the level that they can be used to get to know the world around us with ease, it's already "unbelievable". The effort required is big and overwhelming.

I can't see any advantage learning multiple languages at the same time. Focus is key! I think we should speak about passing the time in that respect, not studying. The brain needs variety, so while you seriously study the language A four hours per day, you're allowed to jazz up your time playing twenty minutes with the language B. Or you can just go out for a walk if it isn't too cold.

Let's be honest, the egotistical trend wants us to be the best of all and learn 10 languages at the same time. But like every ego-related thing, it just turns out to be a silly show-off and a fraud which leads to nothing but mediocrity.

When we reach a level around C1/C2 in whatever language, we can really begin to leverage that new skill for jobs. It's the pay-off of focus.

[kineiya]

Have your main language you want to learn and have a secondary language to dabble in on the side. A few hrs a WK on secondary language and the rest of the time on your main language. It helps

[gethnoble]

Thanks for this video, I feel much better after hearing that many if not all polyglots feel unsatisfied with their skills. We must remember all the people who only speak one. In comparison we are so lucky to be able to complain about our meager skills in this, that and the other. Thanks Steve

[eduardomonteiro]

Thank you! That's the video that I needed hahaha just in time! I'm learning Japanese, French and trying to become fluent in english at the "same time" and it is difficult. That's why I'm focusing most of my time in japanese and english and letting French to the last occasion.

[matildawolfram]

My brother studied languages at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in California. The pace of study was intense. Students had to master the language course in 36-64 weeks. Psychologically it was very difficult, but fortunately he was helped by Yuriy Ivantsiv's book "Polyglot Notes. Practical tips for learning foreign languages”. The book " Polyglot Notes" became a desk book for my brother, because it has answers to all the problems that any student of a foreign language has to face. Thanks to the author of the channel for this interesting video! Good luck to everyone who studies a foreign language and wants to realize their full potential!

[highchamp]

Basic Level (general idea of the language)
3 to 6 months

Intermediate
It's slow going anyhow. (You can now remember, forget, learn)

Memory
Good just to start.
Learning (difficult parts of a language and words) takes time.

Plan (multiple languages)
Know (where you are) and (what you need to do) the next lessons or other resources.

Time
Having the time and the next language resource (technology) ready to go.

[asdd]

Thanks a lot Mr. kaufmann for sharing with us those advices.

[Algazhan]

Steve🤩 another video! Thanks a lot, I love listening to your videos. You are just Great!

[dontpetentertainment]

Hello Steve just came to this video to comment that i'm loving this new interface on lingq from the most recent update. Now i'm even more motivated to continue my Japanese. Thank you

[siamakalaei]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. Best wishes 🤩🤩🤩